Principle of Working of Barometers - 1.1 | 4. Introduction to Barometers | Hydraulic Engineering - Vol 1
K12 Students

Academics

AI-Powered learning for Grades 8–12, aligned with major Indian and international curricula.

Professionals

Professional Courses

Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.

Games

Interactive Games

Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Understanding Atmospheric Pressure

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let's start our discussion about barometers with what atmospheric pressure is. Can anyone explain how we measure atmospheric pressure using a fluid?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it related to the height of a liquid column?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The height of the liquid column, typically mercury, helps us determine the atmospheric pressure. For instance, if we have a mercury column at 750 mm, how do we interpret that as pressure?

Student 2
Student 2

We can calculate it using the formula?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, using the formula we can compute the corresponding pressure in Pascals. Does anyone remember the conversion factor between millimeters of mercury and Pascals?

Student 3
Student 3

I think it's about 133.322 Pascals for each mm?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Therefore, if we have 750 mm of Hg, we multiply that by 133.322 to find the pressure. Well done!

Piezometric Head and Pressure Measurement

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Moving on, can anyone explain what the piezometric head represents in fluid measurement?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it the sum of the pressure head and the elevation head?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The piezometric head remains constant between two points in a connected liquid system. If we have point 1 and point 2, how can we express the equation based on the heights?

Student 4
Student 4

Could we say P1 + ρgz1 = P2 + ρgz2?

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! Great job! This formula helps us calculate pressures at different elevations.

Isothermal Process in Gas Measurement

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

We also discussed perfect gas conditions. Who can tell me what an isothermal process is?

Student 2
Student 2

It’s when the temperature remains constant while there’s a change in volume or pressure?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The ideal gas law applies here as PV = nRT. How can we relate changes in pressure and height in this scenario?

Student 3
Student 3

Wouldn’t we integrate to find the relationship, resulting in a logarithmic function?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Integrating helps us derive the equation used in isothermal conditions which is very important for understanding gaseous states.

Applications of Barometers and Manometers

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Lastly, we discussed various pressure measurement devices. What types can you remember?

Student 1
Student 1

Barometers and manometers?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Barometers measure atmospheric pressure while manometers measure the gauge pressure. How do you think they impact our daily lives?

Student 4
Student 4

They help with weather predictions and managing fluid systems?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Understanding these measurements is essential for various applications, particularly in engineering and environmental science.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section explains the working principle of barometers, focusing on how atmospheric pressure is measured using fluid mechanics.

Standard

The working principle of barometers is explored by discussing the equations of pressure measurement involving liquids. The section also introduces concepts of gauge and atmospheric pressure, as well as differentiating between isothermal and adiabatic processes in gases.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

This section covers the principle of operating barometers, essential devices used to measure atmospheric pressure. It begins with the basic question of determining local atmospheric pressure using mercury at a height of 750 mm. The discussion employs the concept of piezometric head and variations in pressure between two points in fluid mechanics, deriving the equation that relates the height of the liquid column to the pressure difference.

Additionally, it addresses the calculations involved in determining pressure at point one and acknowledges the critical role of fluids in measuring pressure, including considerations for compressible fluids. The section illustrates the working of a barometer through a simple example, leading to the explanation of isothermal conditions in the context of gas pressure measurement. Methods for calculating pressure using the equation for an ideal gas are detailed, highlighting practical applications in measuring pressure in liquid systems with examples like water distribution systems and differential manometers. Finally, it concludes with a note on challenges students might face, encouraging her to experiment and conduct further exploration at home.

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Understanding Atmospheric Pressure Measurement

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

So, this is the barometer. This is the principle of working of barometers. Now, a simple question is, what is the local atmospheric pressure when R is 750 millimeters of Hg? This is R. We are just going to see we have given the =13.6 then we have assumed incompressible fluid constant, we are going to see how it works. So, this is point 1 here and this is point 2 here. (Refer Slide Time: 26:11)

Detailed Explanation

In this chunk, we introduce the concept of barometers and their function in measuring atmospheric pressure. A barometer measures the pressure exerted by the atmosphere. The specific example given is relating to a height measurement (R) of 750 millimeters of mercury (Hg), which is a common standard used in pressure measurements. The value '13.6' refers to the density of mercury, indicating that it's being considered as a constant in this context.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you have a long tube filled with mercury, and it’s turned upside down into a shallow dish of mercury. The height of mercury that stays inside the tube is the atmospheric pressure at that moment. It's similar to how a straw works when you drink a beverage; the pressure difference helps keep the liquid in the straw while you sip.

Calculating Pressure Using Piezometric Head

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

So, we have seen this equation piezometric head is constant. So, we can also write let me erase this one. P1 is..... pressure at point one will be we have seen was R if you just go back here this P 2 - p 1 z2 - z 1 this is point 2. So, this = R. So, going to, can be written as a S * .. So, pressure will be P= S * R, on calculation it is going to give almost hundred 100,000 Pascal. So, this is one example as well of calculating the pressure p1 but this is also indicating how this barometer system works.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses how to calculate pressure at a specific point in a barometer using the piezometric head equation. The equation utilized compares pressure at two points (p1 and p2) including variations in elevation (z1 and z2). By understanding that the piezometric head is constant, we find that the atmospheric pressure can be expressed in terms of height (R) of mercury, ultimately calculating p1 to be approximately 100,000 Pascal.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a water fountain where water rises and falls due to pressure. The same principle applies here; the height of mercury in the barometer is like how high the water would rise in that fountain, telling us how strong the atmospheric pressure is pushing down.

Compressible Fluid Pressure Variations

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Now, we must also be a little aware about the pressure variations in a compressible fluid. So, there are 2 processes, one is perfect gas at constant temperature isothermal that we have been seeing till now. Secondly perfect gas with constant temperature gradient and actually you should try this at home. We are not going to cover this because this is the derivation is same as isothermal.

Detailed Explanation

This section introduces the concept of pressure variations in compressible fluids, particularly distinguishing between two processes: isothermal and those with constant temperature gradients. It emphasizes that understanding pressure variation within compressible fluids is critical when designing systems that use gases, as they behave differently than incompressible fluids like liquids.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a balloon. When you squeeze it, the air inside compresses and the pressure increases while maintaining the same temperature. If the balloon were to heat up while being squeezed, that would represent a different scenario where temperature affects pressure differently, leading to complex behaviors.

Isothermal Process in Perfect Gases

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Now, we are going to do perfect gas at constant temperature that is isothermal process,... and if you integrate this, we are going to get because it is dp / p. So, that becomes ln(p2/p1) and dz is a simple integration yielding (Z2 - Z1). So, the pressure at point 2 in a constant temperature will be given as p = p1 e−[Mg/(R * Ts)g (Z2−Z1)].

Detailed Explanation

In this chunk, we delve into how pressure in a perfect gas behaves during an isothermal process, where temperature remains constant. The pressure difference can be mathematically integrated to yield a specific formula. The derived equation helps to visualize how pressure changes relative to changes in elevation even if the temperature doesn’t vary.

Examples & Analogies

Think of baking bread. The yeast we use generates gas that can expand, but if you keep the temperature steady while the dough rises, you can predict how much the gas will expand and how it will affect the volume and height of your bread.

Importance of Barometers and Manometers

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Pressure measurement devices, we have discussed one already barometers, there are manometers a standard manometer or a differential manometer and the pressure transducers. This is out of the scope...

Detailed Explanation

This part emphasizes the importance of pressure measurement devices such as barometers, manometers (both standard and differential), and pressure transducers. Each device has specific applications; for instance, barometers measure atmospheric pressure while manometers can measure pressures relative to atmosphere and pressure differences.

Examples & Analogies

Picture a weather station, which uses barometers to provide the local atmospheric reading that helps predict the weather. Similarly, in hospitals, manometers can be used to monitor the pressure of gases that help in administering anesthesia to patients.

Practical Example: Water Distribution System

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

So, how high would the water rise in a manometer connected to a pipe containing water at 500 kPa?... pressure in a water distribution system, what will this height h in a manometer be?

Detailed Explanation

In this example, the height of water in a manometer connected to a pipe is calculated given that the pressure in the system is 500 kPa. This helps illustrate how pressure values translate to physical heights in liquid. By applying the formula derived from pressure and density, students can visualize how different pressures would affect the height in a manometer.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine measuring how high soda bubbles rise in a straw when you’re drinking. In this case, the pressure in the pipe pushes up the water in the manometer, similar to how carbonation pushes bubbles up into the straw when you sip.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Atmospheric Pressure: The force per unit area exerted by the weight of the air above.

  • Piezometric Head: Height of liquid column indicating intensity of pressure.

  • Isothermal Process: A constant temperature process affecting gas behavior.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • If atmospheric pressure is 101325 Pa, the equivalent height of mercury in a barometer would be approximately 760 mm.

  • Using a manometer connected to a water pipe with a pressure of 500 kPa, the height of water would be 51 m.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When air presses down, the mercury will rise, measuring the weight of skies.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a scientist using a barometer on a clear day; the mercury height tells whether rain will come or stay.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • A mnemonic for remembering the piezometric head: 'Pressure equals height — know this for flight!'

🎯 Super Acronyms

Remember 'B.P. for Barometric Pressure' when measuring atmospheric forces.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Barometer

    Definition:

    An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

  • Term: Piezometric Head

    Definition:

    The height of a fluid column that relates to pressure at a certain point in a fluid system.

  • Term: Gauge Pressure

    Definition:

    The pressure measurement that excludes atmospheric pressure.

  • Term: Isothermal Process

    Definition:

    A thermodynamic process in which the temperature remains constant.

  • Term: Atmospheric Pressure

    Definition:

    The pressure exerted by the weight of air in the atmosphere.